Alignment problems

[Mike Arman <armanmik@n-jcenter.com>]

>Subject: Alignment problems
>
 <snip>


>a) Rear toe setting is incorrect. The only suggested cure is to replace
>whole rear axle. He said that since only the toe is incorrect and camber is
>OK, replacing just the axle stubs probably won't help (it's a FWD car, mind
>you).

If toe is wrong on rear axle, you can get or make some shims to re-adjust.
Replacing the entire rear axle is just plain wrong, unless it is bent.
Remember that this is a solid axle, not IRS, and really isn't very
adjustable - if you can't adjust it, you can't adjust it wrong either.



>b) Front caster angles are seriously out of spec. They tried to adjust them
>by moving the subframe, but the allowable movement is far too small to get
>them right. He said the most probable cause is bent sway bar. I inquired
>about the rubber sway bar bushings and he said even if they were worn, they
>couldn't affect this. Accident damage ruled out, as the caster was correct
>last time I did the aligment.

Caster usually doesn't move, and isn't adjustable anyway. Camber is set by
moving the top of the struts right to left. Bent sway bar would be obvious.



>He drove the car and said it handles well, so his advice is to keep driving
>the car and not worry about it. And what is the opinion of q-list gurus?
>

Given what you've said, I suspect the guy, meaning well or not, doesn't
know how to read his gauges (or they are not being used correctly) or is
unfamiliar with FWD Audis. Get a second opinion. The fact that the car
drives well tells me that HE is probably wrong, not the car. I've found
that these cars are sensitive to wheel alignment - if you are off, you will
KNOW it!

Best Regards,

Mike Arman (FWD Audi)